Annual Road Safety Christmas campaign launched

14 Dec 2012

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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána this week launched their Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign in collaboration with the National Spinal Injuries Unit in the Mater Hospital. The focus of this year’s campaign is serious injuries as a result of collisions as statistics showed that 19,681 people were seriously injured in a collision in the period 1996 to 2011.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána this week launched their Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign in collaboration with the National Spinal Injuries Unit in the Mater Hospital. The focus of this year’s campaign is serious injuries as a result of collisions as statistics showed that 19,681 people were seriously injured in a collision in the period 1996 to 2011.

A further analysis of the statistics shows that the number of serious injuries has decreased in recent years, in line with the reduction in road fatalities, with the lowest number of serious injuries recorded in 2011 (440). This was echoed in the presentation given by Mr Keith Synnott, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Mater Hospital who said that in the past, most spinal cord injuries admitted to the hospital were as a result of road collisions (up to 50% in many studies), but that this had significantly reduced in recent years.

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Leo Varadkar TD said: “Last year we had the lowest number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads since records began. Nevertheless, we must continue with efforts to reduce the toll even further. Today I visited the National Spinal Injuries Unit in the Mater Hospital, where the members of staff are doing extraordinary work to support patients recovering from spinal cord injuries. This visit puts into perspective the simple things we all take for granted. And it serves as a sharp reminder of why we should all strive for road safety, particularly over the festive period.”

At the launch, Mr Gay Byrne, Chairman, Road Safety Authority reminded people not to forget those who have been seriously injured in collisions: “When we hear or read about road collisions, more often than not, it’s because someone has died. But what we often forget are those who are seriously injured in these collisions. It’s estimated that for every death on EU roads, there are at least eight serious injuries such as spinal cord injuries, as we have heard today, severe brain damage and injuries that require lifelong support and attention.”

Over the festive period, there will be a determined focus by An Garda Síochána on high risk behaviour such as excessive and inappropriate speed, drink and drug driving and the non-wearing of seatbelts.

Speaking at the launch, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said: “An Garda Síochána, through the Traffic Corps, is committed to working with all of the agencies involved in road safety to ensure we minimise the tragic impact of road collisions, be it a death or a serious injury. As such, over the festive period, we will be dedicating our resources to stamping out irresponsible, risky behaviour on our roads. But I would like to remind everyone that this is not about catching people, it’s about protecting each and every person who uses the roads so that we can all have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.”

A total of 154 people have been killed in road collisions to date in 2012 compared to 174 deaths to the same date in 2011. This represents 20 fewer deaths this year compared to last. When broken down by road-user, this represents 78 drivers, 25 passengers, 23 pedestrians, 16 motorcyclists and 8 cyclists who have died on Irish roads to date this year.

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